HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12

(By Delegates Frazier, Gearheart, and Ellington)

Requesting the Athens-Pipestem Road in Mercer County, West Virginia, beginning at the intersection of Route 20 and Vermillion Street in the Town of Athens then proceeding north on Route 20 through the Town of Athens, continuing north on Route 20 and ending at the Summers County line, be named the “Senator Homer K. Ball Memorial Road.”

    Whereas, The Honorable Homer K. Ball was born on October 14, 1924 in Lerona, West Virginia, the son of the late William Harvey Ball and Sallie Keaton Ball. He was a graduate of Athens High School, received his B. A. Degree from Concord College (now University) in Athens and earned his Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan; and

    Whereas, Homer K. Ball served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1995 through 1996, in the West Virginia Senate from 1997 through 2000 and as sheriff of Mercer County from 1965 through 1968, served on the Athens Town Council, was a representative on the National Silver Haired Congress and as Chairman of the Mercer County Democratic Party; and

    Whereas, Homer K. Ball was a faithful member of the Concord United Methodist Church, a member of the Concord Masonic Lodge #48, AF and AM, a member of Chapter #26 of the Royal Arch Masons and a member of the Athens Lion Club; and

    Whereas, Homer K. Ball retired from Concord University after serving for over twenty-five years as the Director of Physical Plant and founded the Homer K. Ball Golf Tournament held at Pipestem State Park that has been ongoing for twenty-one years and has raised more than $300,000 for student scholarships at Concord University; and

    Whereas, Homer K. Ball served his country in the United States Army during the World War II in the Pacific Theater; and

    Whereas, Homer K. Ball died on August 21, 2008, at his home in Athens, Mercer County, West Virginia. He was survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Helen Blankenship Ball; a daughter, Laura Jean Ball; his son, Gregory K. Ball; his son Phillip B. Ball and his wife Kathy; his two grandchildren, Martha Claire Ball and Jackson Henry Ball; and four siblings: Madeline Hurt and her husband Jim Bob Hurt; Ruby Jean Bishop, William Kenneth Ball and James W. “Jimmy” Ball and his wife Dreama Ball. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Martha Jean Ball; and

    Whereas, Homer K. Ball was a committed and respected public servant and worked tirelessly on many issues for the benefit of the citizens of Athens and Mercer county. He was a beloved husband, father, brother and friend who died after many years in the service to his community, county, state and country and will be missed by all who knew him; and

    Whereas, The life of Homer K. Ball shall be recognized and honored; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Division of Highways is hereby requested that the Athens-Pipestem Road in Mercer County, West Virginia, beginning at the intersection of Route 20 and Vermillion Street in the Town of Athens then proceeding North on Route 20 through the Town of Athens, continuing north on Route 20 and ending at the Summers County line, be named the “Senator Homer K. Ball Memorial Road”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is hereby requested to cause to be fabricated signs to be erected at each entryway of the road, containing bold and prominent letters proclaiming the road to be named the “Senator Homer Ball Memorial Road”; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways and the surviving family of Senator Homer K. Ball.